The men and women at Badgett Playhouse 
take a great deal of pride in the shows they produce and the building in which they perform them. You can tell in each and every detail that there is a great level of pride and integrity. From the musicians, singers and dancers to the uncommonly friendly women at the ticket office, the usher, and concession stand workers… each individual obviously has one goal: To make this particular night one that each guest will remember with a smile on his or her face.
Like my car driving to Starbucks, they hit their mark every time.
Here’s just a tiny illustration. After the four of us sat down Friday night, we were looking around – taking in the beauty of the theater and the decorations. An older (I mean, older, older, older) gentleman came through a side door. The usher went directly to him to help him find his seat. That might be kind of expected, but then he offered to let the little guy hold onto his arm. I thought that was very considerate, very friendly, very Kentucky.
I have to tell you this quick little story: As the usher and the little old (old, old, old) man were passing in front of us, I caught the older gentleman’s’ eye and gave him my biggest, “By gosh, you’re cute!” smile. He returned it. Then, he stopped in front of me and my husband and said in a voice that started off faint, then rose at the end, “Whoever said these were the golden years…. didn’t know what the hell he was talking about!”
Some things, I’m convinced, only happen within the state borders of Kentucky.
Something else I’m convinced of – If you have never been to a show at Badgett Playhouse, you MUST head directly to their website, view their schedule and order your tickets right away. If the trip is one you can make in a day, go early and eat at one of the spectacular nearby restaurants. Another one of my favorite things about having Genuine Kentucky is that I get do a lot of restaurant reviews. If you click the link, you can find plenty of restaurants in the vicinity – I have pages of restaurants reviewed, so you’re sure to find one you’ll love.
If you can make it to one of the Always, Patsy Cline shows, you won’t be disappointed. The story is a beautiful and emotional one and the two ladies (Erica Delkou as Patsy Cline and Sara Minihan as Louise) who make up the cast do a wonderful job – they’ll make you sing along, laugh, smile, cry, and leave with a heart filled with wonderful memories.
You can read my original review of the Always, Patsy Cline show at Badgett Playhouse in Grand Rivers, Kentucky. The only things that have changed between that particular show and this one was the singer portraying Patsy Cline (Patsy is now brought to life by Erica Delkou – pictured on the left) and the wonderful addition of Eddie Dunlap on the steel guitar (he did an outstanding job and I hope he’ll be featured in many upcoming shows).
Sara Minihan (pictured above – on the right) was outrageously hilarious, as always, but don’t let her comic talents take attention away from her voice. She has an outstanding singing voice. In Always, Patsy Cline you only get a hint of this talent, so you’ll have to grab tickets for some of the other shows as well! She’ll blow you away in the Variety! Music, Memories, and More Show, Pickin’ and Grinnin’, as well as The Fabulous 50’s Show with her singing and dancing. If you ever get a chance to see her in Bus Stop, you won’t want to miss that either. I know there are only so many shows they can put on at the Badgett Playhouse, so I’ll try to ease up with my campaigns for more Greater Tuna shows and the return of Bus Stop. (Do you think the airplane banners, megaphones, and Goodyear blimp were overkill?) One of my other absolute favorites, The Fabulous 50’s Show, is featured prominently on the schedule. You can’t miss this one.
Something else that’s fascinating about Sara…get this, the lady makes the gorgeous costumes that you see in these shows. No wonder she dances as well as she does, with that much talent coursing through your body, it must be hard to stand still.
I was also very impressed with the singer portraying Patsy Cline – native Texan Erica Delkou. Erica has a beautiful voice and I would absolutely love to hear her sing more. She made the Patsy Cline classics seem contemporary, like you could hear them on the radio today. Walkin’ After Midnight and Stupid Cupid were a few of my favorites, though they were all memorable and beautiful.
The band -Thomas Michael, Eddie Hall, Scott Durham, and Eddie Dunlap – made the evening complete. I wish I had a cd of the evening right now to listen to, actually!
Always Patsy Cline will be running through March 20. Pickin’ and Grinnin’ will run from March 27 – May 1. Click the link for more information on Pickin’ and Grinnin’.
I’ll keep you informed on upcoming shows and announcements. I do know there are upcoming dates for The Big Band Show, The Fabulous 50’s Show, Pickin’ and Grinnin’, and the Variety! Memories, & More Show. Smoke on the Mountain will be back in September. Also, at the risk of getting way ahead of myself, It’s A Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play will return in November and, yes as a matter of fact, I’m already looking forward to it. It’s another CAN’T MISS show.
More Grand Rivers Variety Reviews & News on Genuine Kentucky:
- The Outlaws of Country Music at Grand Rivers Variety
- The Sweethearts of Country Music at Grand Rivers Variety
- Red, White, and Tuna: You’ll Laugh Until You Cry!
- Always, Patsy Cline: Back By Popular Demand
- Ring of Fire: The Johnny Cash Musical at Grand Rivers Variety
- Variety! Music, Memories, and More Christmas Spectacular Review
- The Fabulous 50’s Show at Grand Rivers Variety
- The Big Band Show at Grand Rivers Variety
- Greater Tuna is Back in Grand Rivers and All Is Right in My World
- It’s a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play at Grand Rivers Variety
- A Tuna Christmas in Grand Rivers: Sign Me Up!
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